Like a child who fears no danger in his father’s protecting arms, we must cast ourselves into the arms of our Heavenly Father, confident that those Hands which sustain the heavens are all powerful to supply our necessities, to uphold us in temptation, and to turn all things to our profit. And why should we not have confidence in God? Is He not the most powerful as well as the most tender of fathers?
–Blessed Louis de Granada (1505-1588
Gratitude, which should be in our hearts and on our lips, is a virtue which excites us to praise God unceasingly for all His benefits… Since God not only gives us life, but continues to preserve it, protecting us, lavishing blessings on us, and causing all creatures to serve our necessities and desires, is it not just that we should continually praise Him?
–Blessed Louis de Granada (1505-1588)
Daily Decalogue of Saint John XXIII
1. Only for today, I will seek to live the long day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.
2. Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.
3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.
4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.
5. Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.
6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.
7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my
feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.
8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.
9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.
10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for 12 hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.
–Saint John XXIII (1881-1963)
Contemplation is not a technique of specialists, a privilege exclusive to a few. It is rather the natural consequence of a soul that loves God and, full of admiration, adores in silence.
–Tomás Morales Pérez (1908–1994)
If you want faith, pray. If you want hope, pray. If you want kindness, pray. If you want poverty, pray. If you want obedience, pray. If you want integrity, pray. If you want humility, pray. If you want gentleness, pray. If you want strength, pray. If you want any virtue, pray. Like this: Always read the Book of Life, which is the life of the God-Man, Jesus Christ, who lived in poverty, pain, scorn, and true obedience. Don’t skim this book. Let it penetrate you while you read it. It’ll teach you everything you need to know, no matter your present circumstances. It will fill you with a burning fire that will be your greatest consolation. And the more you pray, the more you’ll be enlightened. As you pray, you’ll see God’s goodness more deeply. And the deeper and more excellent your spiritual eyesight, the more you’ll love. The more you love, the more joy you’ll take in all you see, and the greater your joy, the greater your understanding. Then you’ll reach the completeness of Light because you’ll understand you can’t understand anything at all.
—Saint Angela of Foligno (1248-1309)
History is not a creed or a catechism, it gives lessons rather than rules; still no one can mistake its general teaching in this matter, whether he accept it or stumble at it. Bold outlines and broad masses of color rise out of the records of the past. They may be dim, they may be incomplete; but they are definite. And this one thing at least is certain; whatever history teaches, whatever it omits, whatever it exaggerates or extenuates, whatever it says and unsays, at least the Christianity of history is not Protestantism. If ever there were a safe truth, it is this.
–Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)
